CPJ to hold Ecuadoran authorities accountable for threats

New York, November
11, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reported death threats against César Ricaurte, head of
the Ecuadoran press freedom group Fundamedios, which follow a concerted campaign
by local authorities to discredit the group and foster a climate of
intimidation against independent media and local press freedom activists.

"President
Correa and Ecuadoran authorities must end the systematic verbal assault and
defamation of Fundamedios for their work on behalf of journalists who are
facing numerous restrictions," said CPJ Senior Americas Program
Coordinator Carlos Lauría. "We hold the Ecuadoran government accountable for
the safety of Fundamedios staff and executive director César Ricaurte."

The
most recent spate of verbal attacks and harassment against Fundamedios and
press advocates by Correa and government officials were prompted by the group's
presentation of press freedom violations in Ecuador before the Inter American Commission
on Human Rights on October 25. Ricaurte
has since denounced being the
object of death threats by email and social media.